Know Your Shrubs: The Japanese Kerria
The Japanese kerria, also known as the kerria japonica, is a very cheerful looking shrub that is a sure-fire way to brighten up even the dullest garden, driveway, or yard perimeter. This small scale shrub tends to be overlooked when one is considering the addition of a garden shrub, but it really does deserve a decent amount of consideration. Why? We’re going to talk about that as well as the general maintenance required to keep this perky little plant looking happy. Let’s get on with it, then!
The Japanese kerria grows out more than it grows up, but that’s just one of the traits that has endeared this shrub to me. Overall, you could expect this plant to grow to a height of about three to six feet when it reaches maturity, and anywhere from six to nine feet in “spread” (width). It can be grown in USDA hardiness zones five through nine, which gives it a pretty wide selection of areas in which it can flourish.
The kerria has bright foliage that can only really be accurately described as crisp. The colors of the foliage change with the seasons, so you can expect a yellow-ish tint during the autumn months. This little shrub sports pretty yellow flowers around mid spring time as well as early autumn, which is one of the reasons this shrub is gaining popularity. In times when finances and other worries seem overwhelming, it’s nice to surround oneself with uplifting and inspiring things—and flowers really do the trick!
Planting this shrub isn’t a difficult process. It is quite a hardy plant that isn’t too picky as far as the quality of the soil is concerned. If you are set on a really nice looking shrub, try to use at least a decent quality of loamy soil in an area that gets really good drainage. The “drainage” part is really important because soil that doesn’t drain the excess water will cause it to pool around the plant’s roots. This often leads to stunted growth of the shrub or death of it.
The spot that you choose to plant this shrub will have a lot of impact on the overall appearance of it. Partial or full shade is usually best for this species of shrub, although it can survive in full sunlight. If you do choose a spot with full sun, bear in mind that the flowers will bleach out and die off quicker than it would in a shady area. Some people have reported that rabbits find this shrub a tasty treat during the winter time, so protection from critters may be necessary depending on the area that you live in.
Don’t worry about being tied to the garden hose on a weekly basis with this shrub. It only requires average watering, which means that it can usually get what it needs through rainfall and snow. It may require additional watering once a week or so during particularly hot or dry spells during the summer, but the frequency of this depends on whether your area is prone to drought-like weather. Even so, a simple sprinkler system may do the trick to allow you a little more convenience if you do live in a hot/dry area. This shrub will need to be trimmed to your preferred dimensions in the late spring or early summer. This will also ensure that the plant doesn’t invade areas that you would rather it not consume.
As a whole, I think the Japanese kerria is a terrific shrub that can be made to compliment any garden. It is easy to manage, small, and has just the right balance of “showiness” to afford it a great deal of versatility.